Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012: Keys to the Game for the Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings won their eighth game in a row on Thursday evening in LA, when the Phoenix Coyotes came in town for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

The game is a pivotal one, because the Kings can put themselves one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup finals with four chances to get there.

On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Kings saw many different players stepping up and dictating the play that contributed to the win.

The three Kings stars of the game are:

Third Star: Dustin Brown. He made an amazing stretch pass from inside his own zone to line-mate Anze Kopitar to send him on a breakaway on Mike Smith. That goal was critical to stop the momentum that Phoenix had built up by scoring the important first goal of the hockey game. Dustin Brown was exceptional once again.

Second Star: Dwight King. King scored the game-winning goal for the Los Angeles Kings in the third period when he drew the puck from along the end goal line toward the left faceoff circle of Mike Smith. With no pressure stopping him, King ripped a shot on goal, and it beat Smith to make it a 2-1 hockey game with less than a period to play.

First Star: Jarret Stoll. The third line was on fire for the LA Kings on this night. Dwight King scored the game winner, and it was the work that Stoll had done all night that forced the Coyotes to turnover pucks in their own zone, and back off on defense. He skated very well, and hunted down every puck on the Kings' fore-checking game. Stoll had numerous opportunities to score and create scoring chances for LA. In line with Trevor Lewis, Dwight King was by far the biggest factor tonight.

Key to winning Game 4 in Los Angeles:

The LA Kings just need to keep the pressure on the Coyotes in all three zones, and let Jonathan Quick see the shots directed on the net. The Kings are well on their way to a Stanley Cup final appearance.